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Rough debut for Paolo.

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Dragons stand between Hawks and Japan Series glory

By JASON COSKREY

A long strange season has come to its final bend as the Japan Series prepares to decide NPB's top team.

Lean on me:

Fukuoka Softbank's Seiichi Uchikawa led NPB with a batting average of .338 this season. KYODO PHOTOS

That's a title many would give to the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, who stormed through their schedule behind a powerful offense and the best pitching staff in Japan.

The rest of the NPB's last line of defense comes in the form of the Chunichi Dragons, who are in the Series for the fifth time since 2004. They have their own talented group of pitchers and will be aiming to shut down the Softbank express to win one for outgoing manager Hiromitsu Ochiai.

Here are five key questions ahead of the Series, which starts Saturday:

Which pitching staff is better?

The Hawks led Japan with a 2.32 team ERA and the Dragons were second at 2.46.

Softbank has arms everywhere, with perhaps the best two left-handers in Japan in Tsuyoshi Wada and Toshiya Sugiuchi, PL co-wins leader D.J. Houlton, and another solid option in Tadashi Settsu. The bullpen is stacked as well with Masahiko Morifuku, Brian Falkenborg and closer Takahiro Mahara.

Ready for action:

Chunichi Dragons skipper Hiromitsu Ochiai (left) and Fukuoka Softbank Hawks manager Koji Akiyama shake hands on the eve of the 2011 Japan Series.


The CL's co-wins leader Kazuki Yoshimi heads the Chunichi rotation, but there is a dropoff behind him. Chen Wei-yin is one of the top pitchers in Japan when he's on, but the Dragons have to hope for big games from Maximo Nelson (if healthy), Daisuke Yamai and whoever else toes the rubber. Though they will be aided by playing Games 3, 4, 5 at home in pitcher-friendly Nagoya Dome.

The Dragons may actually hold an advantage in the back of the bullpen, where Akifumi Takahashi, Takuya Asao, possibly NPB's top reliever, and closer Hitoki Iwase will be waiting.

How do the offenses stack up?

Softbank has the best hitter in Japan in Seiichi Uchikawa, who led NPB with a .338 average, the best base stealer in Yuichi Honda, who swiped 60 bags and hit .305, and plenty of covering fire in Nobuhiro Matsuda and Yuya Hasegawa, among others.

Manager Koji Akiyama also has a deep bench to mine for hits and defense during the trickier moments in Nagoya, where pinch-hitting comes into play.

The Dragons have the potential to be explosive, but have rarely been able to show it. Unless Masahiko Morino, Kazuhiro Wada and Tony Blanco get going, Chunichi could find runs hard to come by.

Are the Dragons up to the task?

The Hawks have been on another level for much of the season and it's going to take everything the Dragons have to derail them.

The key for Chunichi is getting things turned around at the plate. The Dragons' offense sputtered in the final stage of the Climax Series and now faces the deepest staff in Japan.

Ryosuke Hirata and Hirokazu Ibata played well in the Climax Series, but the rest of the Dragons will have to join the party in order to knock off Softbank.

Can Ochiai go out on top?

The Dragons fired on all cylinders in the immediate aftermath of the team announcing Ochiai would not be retained.

With that fire lit under them, they chased down the Tokyo Yakult Swallows to help Ochiai capture the third CL pennant of his eight seasons in charge.

As successful as Ochiai has been, he's only 1-3 in the Japanese Fall Classic heading into this series.

At most, Ochiai has seven games remaining in the Dragons dugout. He's found a way to make the right moves throughout his tenure and if he can outfox Akiyama and knock off the favored Hawks, he'll shove it in management's face by going out on top.

Can Softbank complete the journey?

After years of coming up short in the PL Climax Series, the Hawks are back in the title round for the first time since winning it all in 2003.

Giving them even more motivation is the knowledge that the band might be about to break up, with Wada and shortstop Munenori Kawasaki eyeing the majors, and Sugiuchi mulling exercising his domestic free agency rights.

The Hawks won the interleague title by three games and the PL crown by 17½ games. There's only one domestic title left, and the team is focused on adding it to its mantle.

Prediction: Softbank in five.

Authorities in Venezuela working toward 'quick resolution'

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 11/11/11 4:35 PM EST

Venezuelan authorities told The Associated Press on Friday they are hopeful they can swiftly solve the kidnapping of Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos, who was abducted on Wednesday outside his home city of Valencia.

Deputy Justice Minister Edwin Rojas told the AP that investigators are continuing to gather evidence and already have descriptions of the kidnappers from witnesses.

"We have faith in the quick resolution of this case," Rojas told state television, according to the report, and added that President Hugo Chavez's government "is working 24 hours a day to solve this case."

Venezuelan security expert Luis Cedeno told the AP that Ramos' abductors could be linked to one of the Venezuelan criminal groups that focus on high-profile kidnappings. Such kidnappings could demand a large ransom, according to the report.

"It's a very sophisticated, well-planned kidnapping," Cedeno told the AP.

According to the report, Cedeno also said that cases such as these could potentially last months and the people behind the kidnappings are usually "men who carry out one or two kidnappings a year and they plan it very, very well."

Ramos, who was playing for Tigres de Aragua in the Venezuelan Winter League, was taken from his home in Santa Ines by four armed gunmen on Wednesday evening, Kathe Vilera, the Tigres' spokeswoman, said through the team's Twitter account.

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OUCH!

joez wrote:

The Indians were the 2nd highest bidder in all of MLB for Iwamura.

C'mon Rusty!

Tampa Bay was awarded the bid for Iwamura. The bid, closed/sealed bid, was 4.5 million dollars. The Indians may have come in second, but you can't tell me that was a concerted effort to win the bid.

If there was a player coming out today with Iwamura's credentials, that bid would easily be in the 20+ million dollar range. Since you know the Indians came in second, what was the amount of the bid? I'd like to know.

Joe since you know so much about the posting system you would know that the 4.5 million was just to negotiate with Iwamura.
Tampa then signed Iwamura to a 3 year contract for 7.7 million. Meaning Tampa paid 4 million a season for him. Only 2 teams bid Tampa Bay and the Indians. Indians bid about 4 million. Pretty widely reported at the time. Since you have a hard time with facts I am not surprised that you do not remember.

Rusty!

You continue to be confused. The posting/bidding process is not structured into salaries. The posting/bidding process is the cost of running a business. It's a club expense albeit an expensive one.

Ask any posted player that signed with their respective teams and ask them how much of those bidding dollars ended up in their paychecks.

Those bidding dollars went to the clubs that owned these players, not to the players themselves.

Gotta get your facts straight Rusty or change your usage of terms.

I thought I explained this in a diffent discussion group.

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From Wikipedia

Process

When a player under contract with a Nippon Professional Baseball team wishes to play in Major League Baseball, he must notify his current team's management and request that they make him available for posting during the next posting period (November 1 – March 1).[4] The NPB team can reject this request, and the player will not be posted.[22] However, if the team consents, the player is presented to the MLB Commissioner. The Commissioner then notifies all MLB teams of the posted player and holds a four-day-long silent auction during which interested MLB teams submit sealed bids in U.S. dollars to the Commissioner’s Office. After the allotted four days have passed, the Commissioner closes the bidding process and notifies the posted player's NPB team of the highest bid amount but not who the bidding team is. The NPB team then has four days to either accept or reject the non-negotiable bid amount.[16]

If the bid is rejected, the NPB team retains rights to the player. If it is accepted, the successful MLB team is granted the exclusive rights to negotiate with the player for 30 days. If the player and the MLB team agree on contract terms before the 30-day period has expired, the NPB team receives the bid amount as a transfer fee within five business days. The player is then free to play for his new MLB team in the coming season.[16] The transfer fee is not included when calculating an MLB team's total payroll, which is subject to a luxury tax when it exceeds $155 million.[23][24] If the MLB team cannot come to a contract agreement with the posted player, then no fee is paid and the rights to the player revert to his NPB team. A player can request to be posted again in subsequent years, and the process is repeated with no advantage to the club that had won the bidding the previous year.[16]

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Leones' Teaford fans eight, tames Tigres

Royals left-hander, three relievers combine on four-hitter

Dominican Winter League

Escogido 2, Licey 0

Royals left-hander Everett Teaford struck out eight and allowed three hits over 5 2/3 innings as the Leones snapped the Tigres' three-game winning streak. Giants first baseman/outfielder Brandon Belt had two hits, including his second homer, and Royals catcher Brayan Pena went 3-for-4 with a run scored for Escogido.

Aguilas 10, Gigantes 2

Wilin Rosario, the Rockies' No. 1 prospect, grabbed a share of the league lead with his sixth homer and drove in three runs as the Aguilas moved into a first-place tie. Former Major Leaguer Lorenzo Barcelo pitched six solid innings for his league-leading fifth win and Angels prospect Efren Navarro drove in two runs for Cibaenas. Rays infielder Elliot Johnson had two hits, including a solo homer, for the Gigantes.
Everett Teaford was 2-1 with one save and a 3.27 ERA in 26 appearances, including three starts, for the Royals. (Getty Images)

Estrellas at Toros, postponed

Venezuelan Winter League

Aragua 9, La Guaira 4

Former Minor Leaguer Guillermo Rodriguez tripled, singled and drove in four runs to lead the Tigres to their fourth straight win. Major League veteran Lastings Milledge homered and added two RBIs for Aragua, which got 5 2/3 strong innings from Marlins farmhand Darin Downs. Ex-big leaguer Oscar Salazar went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer for the Tiburones.

Zulia 4, Caracas 3

Yankees Minor Leaguer Colin Curtis had two hits and scored a run as the Aguilas held on for their third consecutive victory. Blue Jays outfielder Darin Mastroianni lifted a sacrifice fly in Zulia's four-run third inning, while A's farmhand Doug Landaeta went 2-for-3 and scored a run for the Leones.

Magallanes 7, Caribes 3

Indians outfielder Ezequiel Carrera went 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles, two walks, an RBI and a run scored as the Navegantes snapped a three-game losing streak. Adonis Garcia's three-run homer capped a four-run ninth inning for Magallanes, while Angels prospect Alexi Amarista hit a solo shot for the Caribes.

Margarita 5, Lara 4 (11 innings)

Diamondbacks outfielder Collin Cowgill tied the game with a two-run double in the ninth inning and former Major Leaguer Jose Castillo delivered a walk-off single in the 11th for the Bravos. Sean Burroughs contributed three hits and scored twice to help Margarita end a four-game slide, while Luis Antonio Jimenez -- who spent the season in the Mariners organization -- doubled twice, drove in two runs and scored twice for Lara.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Caguas 5, Carolina 3

Former Major Leaguer Edgard Clemente hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning as the Criollos posted their second straight win. Eddy Ramos tossed two innings of scoreless relief to get the victory, while big league veteran Hiram Bocachica smacked a solo shot for the Gigantes.

Mayaguez at Ponce, postponed

Mexican Pacific League

Los Mochis 4, Hermosillo 0

Giants farmhand Justin Christian had two hits and drove in two runs to lead the Cañeros to their fourth straight win. Tomas Solis allowed three hits over 6 1/3 innings for his third victory, while Major League veteran Alex Cintron went 2-for-4 and scored twice for Los Mochis.

Mazatlan 11, Guasave 3

Minor League veteran Jon Weber went 4-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored to highlight a 16-hit attack as the Venados handed the last-place Algodoñeros their eighth straight setback. Carlos Sievers fell a double shy of the cycle and drove in four runs for Mazatlan, while Angels prospect Andrew Romine was 3-for-4 and scored twice

Mexicali 6, Obregon 3

Former Rockies farmhand Marco Duarte allowed two runs on three hits over six innings to improve to 3-0 as the Aguilas snapped the Yaquis' six-game winning streak. Major League veteran Oscar Robles had two hits, including a two-run homer, for Mexicali, while Kevin Flores went 2-for-2 with an RBI off the bench for Obregon.

Culiacan 3, Navojoa 2

Giants prospect Tyler Graham hit a two-out two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Tomateros grabbed sole possession of first place. Former Cardinals farmhand Amaury Cazana drove in the other run for Culiacan, while former Southern League All-Star Steve Moss had two hits and scored a run for the Mayos, who have dropped five in a row.

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Dominican Winter League

•Jerad Head (RF, Tigres del Licey): 0-for-4, K. Head is still a free agent and has not signed with a team. He will likely end up signing with someone other than the Indians.

Venezuelan Winter League

•Paolo Espino (SP, Tiburones de la Guaira): 2.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R/ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR. Espino made his winter league debut last night in Venezuela and it was an outing he would like to quickly forget. Of the 16 batters he faced 9 of them reached base and 6 of them scored.

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 2-for-2, R, 2 3B, RBI, 2 BB. An outstanding game for Carrera who reached base in four of his five plate appearances (he bad a sacrifice in one plate appearance) and he also ripped two triples which is not an easy thing to do.

•Luis Valbuena (2B, Cardenales de Lara): 0-for-2, 2 BB, 1 K. Valbuena continues his hitting woes but is still getting on base via the walk. He is hitting just .235 in 24 games, but he also has 14 walks as well.

After two days, Ramos rescued in Venezuela

Kidnapped catcher safely found by investigators on Friday night


By Jesse Sanchez and Bill Ladson / MLB.com | 11/12/11 9:50 AM EST


WASHINGTON --

Wilson Ramos is home.

More than 50 hours after he was abducted from the front yard of his mother's home outside of Valencia, Venezuela, the Nationals' 24-year-old catcher was rescued by Venezuelan authorities after a 15-minute gunfight on Friday.

"I feel so happy and proud of all the supporters and fans with the Nationals, Major League Baseball and Venezuela who [were] praying for me," Ramos told MLB.com from Venezuela. "I don't have the words to describe this experience and what I have been through."
11/11/11: MLB.com reporter Jesse Sanchez discusses the relieving resolution to Wilson Ramos' kidnapping in Venezuela

He was rescued during an air operation in the mountains in the state of Carabobo, roughly 40 miles northwest of where he was abducted.

"I was super scared, and even though [the kidnappers] did not hurt me physically, it was something that was very painful," Ramos said. "I didn't think I was ever going to see my family again and that hurt me so much. But now, I am with them again and it feels tremendous to be back."

On Wednesday, Ramos was kidnapped by four armed gunmen in the suburban neighborhood of Santa Ines. He had not been heard from until his rescue.

"It happened so fast," Ramos said. "We took off in one car and then we changed cars. Then we went to a house in the mountains. I didn't know what was going on. I didn't know what to think. I was very scared."

Justice minister Tareck El Aissami, who announced the news of the rescue on state television, said the police have three people in custody, including a Colombian "linked to paramilitary groups and to kidnapping groups."

El Aissami said police are still gathering evidence at the site of the rescue "to see if we can find others who were responsible." No reports of the kidnappers demanding money are available.

The Venezuelan government is going to provide Ramos and his family with bodyguards going forward.

"I join Wilson in thanking the many law enforcement officials in Venezuela and investigators with Major League Baseball who worked tirelessly to ensure a positive ending to what has been a frightening ordeal," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said in a statement Friday. "The only detail that concerns us tonight is that Wilson is safe. The entire Washington Nationals family is thankful that Wilson Ramos is coming home."

According to The Associated Press, Ramos' mother was jubilant upon hearing the news and proclaimed on television, "Thanks to God!"

"Thanks to my country, to my neighbors and to my family, who were supporting us," she said.

She soon spoke with Ramos by phone and happily announced, "He's fine."

Scot Drucker, a teammate of Ramos' with Tigres de Aragua, tweeted Friday that Ramos was in Caracas, Venezuela, receiving medical attention. He later tweeted that the crowd at Tigres' Winter League game began to cheer nonstop upon hearing news of the rescue. Play on the field stopped as the fans stood and applauded.

"The happiness is something that I can't describe," said Kathe Vilera, the spokesperson for Tigres. "The fans went crazy when the stadium announcer said it."

It's been an excruciating couple of days for the Ramos family. The kidnapping happened in front of several witnesses, including his brothers and neighbors.

"He tried to stay calm, because they had a gun on his head and said, 'If you move, I kill you,'" said Marfa Mata, who has worked with Ramos as his public relations assistant since 2009. "The man put one arm on his neck and gun on his head and got in an SUV."

On Thursday, the SUV was found in a town near Santa Ines. Early Friday, deputy justice minister Edwin Rojas told the AP that investigators were gathering evidence and had descriptions of the kidnappers from witnesses. Venezuelan security expert Luis Cedeno told the AP that Ramos' abductors could be linked to one of the Venezuelan criminal groups that focus on high-profile kidnappings.

Vilera and Mata kept the public informed through updates on their Twitter accounts. Vilera, who operates the official Twitter account for the Tigres, saw Ramos at Estadio Jose Perez Colmenares, the home stadium of the Tigres, almost every day.

Mata, who is a reporter by trade, has been giving Ramos lessons in media training. The sessions are a challenge at times, she said, because the quiet-natured Ramos would rather play baseball or teach a child about sports than stand in front a camera and talk about it.

"After games, I've seen him pull over and park his car and take time to sign autographs for kids," Mata said. "He is always taking photos. The fans love him, and he loves the kids, too."

News of Ramos' abduction spread quickly.

On Thursday, Major League Baseball and the Nationals issued a joint statement on Wilson's situation, and later, players in the Venezuelan Professional League began to wear ribbons on their uniforms in honor of their friend. Major League players expressed themselves through Twitter.

"Wilson Ramos situation is very sad. ... No respect for human life. Greed, money-loving people are killing this world," tweeted Indians manager Manny Acta.

"Extremely upsetting news about Ramo," teammate Drew Storen tweeted. "Thoughts and prayers [are] with him."

Early Friday, an estimated 75 to 100 fans participated in the candlelight vigil for Ramos behind the center-field gate at Nationals Park. There were at least a dozen lighted candles and signs that read "Free No. 3" and "Bring Home Wilson."

"I thought maybe if we all got together, it would be a good way to show some support, lean on each other a little bit and try to do something, even if it's showing that we care," said Alicia Durfee, who organized the event. "It turned to a lot more than that. ... I know that everybody likes him as a player. I didn't realize how much everybody cared about him as a person, too."

Venezuela consistently ranks near the top of the list in murder rates, and the number of kidnappings have grown in recent years. Many crimes go unsolved.

The catcher's abduction is the first known for a Major League player, but there have been kidnapping incidents involving the families of big league players in the past. A son and brother-in-law of now-Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba were released one day after being abducted in 2009, and the mother of former pitcher Victor Zambrano was rescued after a three-day ordeal later that year. Four years earlier, the mother of two-time All-Star pitcher Ugueth Urbina was rescued five months after she was kidnapped.

Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond knows how important family is to Ramos. He recalls the time Ramos brought his mother and sister to the United States to watch him play in the big leagues for the first time.

"He was telling me all about it," Desmond said. "He was ecstatic for his mom to be here. He was so excited. He was going to take his mom to the mall. Anything that she wanted, he was going to buy for her."

The Ramos family has plenty to be proud of. In 2011, the catcher played his first full big league season and became the everyday starter behind the plate, hitting .267 with 15 home runs (a Nationals record for a backstop) and 52 RBIs.

It's unclear what Ramos has planned for the future, or if he intends to leave Venezuela.

"[Ramos] loves to sit on the porch with his brothers and play with the neighborhood kids," Mata said. "He's always available for pictures, and everyone in the community loves him because he's an idol. Everybody knew where he lived, and they knew he would come. This year, he played the whole season, and everyone was trying to get the date when he was coming to say hello and take a picture."

Jesse Sanchez is a national reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @JesseSanchezMLB. Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, All Nats All the time. He also could be found on Twitter @WashingNats. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
The University Stadium crowds celebrate the rescue of Ramos

Victor Boccone - a |

"Wilson Ramos appeared!", Three words were enough for the 10,607 people who attended the University Stadium to join in a cry of joy, after hearing the news that Venezuelan grandeliga was rescued.

The horns of the UCV had never sounded so smoothly at the release of theircompanion.

At the bottom of the eighth inning, the game was stopped to give the great news. The fans were quiet and listening to such words, the grandstands were erected and the fans began chanting the name "Wilson ... Wilson ... Wilson."

Prior to the meeting, the president of the league, José Grasso Vecchio was present at the stadium wearing a shirt that said "Free Wilson" and asked for a moment of prayer for the welfare of the player.

"The Venezuelan Winter League appreciates the work done by the authorities. Also the support of the fans of baseball and all of Venezuela, "said Grasso Vecchio via twitter.

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Panama Winter League As was the case with Toru Murata in his last start, Salazar rebounded nicely after getting roughed up pretty good in his previous start. Wright, Murata, and Salazar have been pitching very well in Panama.

Paolo Espino struggled in 4 out of his 5 starts here. He debuted in the Venezuelan Winter League last night and got bombed. High expectations coated with a tad of humility. Better luck next time Paolo.

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Danny Salazar pitched six solid innings, being supported by a barrage of eight hits, including a Nick Buss homer, to lead the Chiriqui and Veraguas Roneros to a win of 4 races for 2 on the Horses of Cocle, on home soil of Cocle, Remon Cantera.

Salazar (2-1) road victory, allowed five hits, including Javier Colina solo homer in the second act also struck out six. Gilberto Mendez had the rescue for the second time in the campaign. The defeat was for Alberto Acosta (1-1).

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Nats prospect Tatusko to remain in Venezuela

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com | 11/11/11 10:28 PM EST

WASHINGTON --

Nationals pitching prospect Ryan Tatusko will continue to play for Bravos de Margarita of the Venezuelan Winter League, according to his agent, Joe Speed.

The decision came Thursday, a day after Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos was kidnapped by four armed gunmen near his home in Venezuela. Ramos was rescued safely on Friday night.

Speed said he spoke to Tatusko numerous times on Thursday. The Nationals gave Tatusko a choice to go back to the United States, but Tatusko insisted he was safe and Bravos have gone through extra measures to make the American players feel safe. Tatusko told Speed that he and the American players on the team stick together and security is with them all the time.
Washington Nationals pitching prospect Ryan Tatusko will continue to pitch in the Venezuelan Winter League. (AP)

"In that regard, he is comfortable with where he is, and he is enjoying the opportunity," Speed said via telephone. "He wants to continue his quest to get better and play for the Nationals next year.

"To be honest, I must say I'm very impressed with the Nationals. I had a conversation with [farm director] Doug Harris. I'm impressed with how they look out for their own. They did a good job of showing concern. Ryan felt that way, too."

Tatusko, who was acquired from the Rangers for shortstop Cristian Guzman on July 31, 2010, has played three games for Bravos and has been on the losing end of all three, compiling a 3.86 ERA in the process.

Joe, the bottom line is Tampa paid 4 million a year for 3 years to sign the player. You are the one that does not understand the system and does not remember that the Indians were the only other team to bid.

Joe, what is next ? You want to talk about Luna, Barton, or Kouzmanoff ? Long off season for you.

joez wrote:

The Indians were the 2nd highest bidder in all of MLB for Iwamura.

C'mon Rusty!

Tampa Bay was awarded the bid for Iwamura. The bid, closed/sealed bid, was 4.5 million dollars. The Indians may have come in second, but you can't tell me that was a concerted effort to win the bid.

If there was a player coming out today with Iwamura's credentials, that bid would easily be in the 20+ million dollar range. Since you know the Indians came in second, what was the amount of the bid? I'd like to know.

If the Indians didn't want the guy the would not have bid. They bid what they thought the guy was worth and got outbid. It just sounds like sour grapes on your part because they missed out.

$20 million on top what the Indians have to pay in salary?. Do you seriously think the Indians would pay that much for someone that has never played in the Major Leagues at that point?

I also have never subscribed to the so called "look good offers" that Kenm liked to throw around here from time to time. I'm sure the Indians front office just throw offers to players they don't really want just to appease the fans.

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Toros' Rodriguez tosses six hitless innings

Astros right-hander fans five in fifth Dominican League start

Dominican Winter League

Toros 1, Aguilas 0

Astros right-hander Aneury Rodriguez struck out five and walked two over six hitless innings as the Toros grabbed sole possession of second place. Giants prospect Osiris Matos lost the no-hit bid by allowing a two-out single in the seventh to Tigers Minor Leaguer Audy Ciriaco, but Jose Diaz (Orioles) and Jairo Asencio (Braves) finished off the one-hitter. Former White Sox farmhand Victor Mercedes went 2-for-2 and singled in the game's only run.

Estrellas 9, Escogido 5

Major League veteran Felix Pie drove in three runs and Diamondbacks farmhand Ed Rogers added two hits and two RBIs as the Estrellas surprised the Leones. Reds Minor Leaguer Tom Cochran gave up two runs on two hits and five walks over five innings to improve to 3-1, while Giants first baseman/outfielder Brandon Belt delivered an RBI single for Escogido.
Aneury Rodriguez is 2-0 with a 3.28 ERA in six games, including five starts, for the Toros. (Al Behrman/AP)

Gigantes 3, Licey 2 (11 innings)

Jimmy Paredes went 2-for-2 with two RBIs off the bench as the Gigantes outlasted the Tigres to snap a five-game losing streak. The Astros infielder delivered a walk-off single after Royals right-hander Kevin Pucetas pitched five shutout innings for Cibao. Nationals first baseman Chris Marrero hit an RBI double and scored the other run for Licey.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Ponce 3, Caguas 2

Luis Matos had two hits, including a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning, as the Leones climbed back to the .500 mark. Fellow former Major Leaguer John Rodriguez went 2-for-4 and scored a run for Ponce, while Edgard Clemente had two hits and drove in both runs for the Criollos.

Mayaguez 7, Carolina 6

Pirates prospect Jeremy Farrell hit a walk-off double in the ninth inning as the Indios moved past the Gigantes into second place. Brewers farmhand Martin Maldonado homered, doubled and drove in three runs for Mayaguez, while Padres prospect Reymond Fuentes and Marlins Minor Leaguer Jeff Dominguez went deep for Carolina.

Venezuelan Winter League

Zulia 3, Caribes 0

Rangers prospect Wilfredo Boscan allowed four hits over six innings as the Aguilas blanked the Caribes for their fourth straight win. Braves Minor Leaguer Ernesto Mejia and Colin Curtis homered off Carlos Zambrano for Zulia. The Cubs right-hander was charged with three runs on five hits over six innings in his second start for Anzoategui.

La Guaira 5, Caracas 4

Giants catcher Hector Sanchez went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored to extend his hitting streak to 11 games and help the Tiburones end a three-game slide. Former Rays farmhand Cesar Suarez also had two hits and drove in a run for La Guaira, while Brewers prospect Caleb Gindl homered twice and had three RBIs for the Leones.

Lara 5, Margarita 4 (10 innings, 1st game)

Mariners prospect Stephen Pryor allowed one hit over four innings of scoreless relief as the Cardenales outlasted the Bravos. Luis Antonio Jimenez and former Major Leaguer Robert Perez homered for Lara, while big league veteran Max Ramirez delivered a two-run double in a losing cause.

Margarita 3, Lara 2 (2nd game)

Former Major Leaguer Jose Castillo hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning as the Bravos salvaged a split of their doubleheader. Rene Reyes also went deep and scored twice for Margarita, while Indians infielder Luis Valbuena had two hits and a walk for the Cardenales.

Aragua 9, Magallanes 8 (12 innings)

Major League veteran Ronny Cedeno had three hits, including a triple, and drove in four runs as the Tigres outlasted the Navegantes and extended their winning streak to five games. Vinny Rottino, who spent the season in the Marlins organization, reached base four times and scored three runs for Aragua. Nationals catcher Jesus Flores contributed two hits and two RBIs for Magallanes.

Mexican Pacific League

Los Mochis 7, Hermosillo 3

Former Padres farmhand Arturo Lopez allowed one earned run on seven hits over six innings as the Cañeros rolled to their fifth straight win. Sandy Madera, who spent time in the Orioles organization, fell a double shy of the cycle, drove in two runs and scored twice for Los Mochis. Former Major Leaguer Henry Mateo hit a two-run single in a losing cause.

Mazatlan 3, Guasave 1

Major League veteran Walter Silva pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings and batterymate Hector Paez hit a two-run homer as the Venados handed the Algodoñeros their ninth consecutive loss. Blue Jays farmhand Kevin Howard went 2-for-3 and scored a run for Mazatlan, while Rangers prospect Jose Felix had two of Guasave's six hits.

Mexicali 6, Obregon 2

Former big leaguer Chris Roberson went 3-for-4 with a triple and a run scored to help the Aguilas grab sole possession of second place. Jorge Guzman slugged a three-run homer for Mexicali, while Carlos Valencia supplied all of the Yaquis' offense with a pair of solo shots.

Navojoa 3, Culiacan 1

Orlando Lara, who spent two seasons in the Padres system, tossed five shutout innings to help the Mayos snap a five-game losing streak. Omar De La Torre homered and drove in two runs, while Tigers newcomer Matt Young had the other RBI for Navojoa. Ricardo Serrano went deep for the Tomateros, who fell into a first-place tie with Mexicali.

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Dominican Winter League

•Jerad Head (RF, Tigres del Licey): 2-for-4. Head’s first multi-hit effort since October 26th, a span of 8 games. In between his multi-hit efforts he went 5-for-27 at the plate.

Puerto Rican Winter League

•Giovanni Soto (RP, Gigantes de Carolina): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Soto’s third outing in Puerto Rico, and his first since November 6th. This was his longest outing by far, and he has yet to allow a run in 3.1 innings of work.

Venezuelan Winter League

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 1-for-7, R, K. Carrera is still hitting over .300 but after a hot start his numbers are starting to even out. His 5 extra base hits in 12 games is still a good sign.

•Luis Valbuena (2B, Cardenales de Lara): 3-for-6, R, 3 BB, K. The hits have been here and there for Valbuena this fall, but on this night he managed to get 3 hits and 3 walks in 9 combined plate appearances in a double header. He now has 17 walks in 25 games which puts him in the top 10 in the league.